Dentifrice container and dispenser



Oct.v 20, 1936.

A. W. BEAUMONT AL DENTIFRICE CONTAINER AND DISPENSER Filed Jafi'. 9, 1936 fiwsmu/volvr WHSHENTO/V EU M MQW Patented Oct. 20, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Arthur W. Beaumont, New York, N. Y., and William A. Shenton, Montclair, N. J.

Application January 9, 1936, Serial No. 58,424

3 Claims.

The device of the present invention consists of a container for dentifrices, and like semi-solid substances having for an object the provision of a container which is noncollapsible and capable of being held in one hand of the ,user, and the contents dispensed by the same hand.

In the present invention, the container and dispensing mechanism for the contents of the latter is of simple construction, the dispensing mechanism being controlled by a terminal of the container which terminal is of a size conveniently fitting between the thumb and forefinger of the user to permit rotation while the body of the container is held stationary in the palm of the hand.

Of the essence of importance in the present invention is the construction of and manner of assembling the operating end of the container to insure positive operation of the extruding mechanism for dispensing the contents of the container in a predetermined volume, the rate of flow being also completely within the control of the user.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the present preferred forms of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, where- 1n:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the closure cap removed from the dispensing end of the container.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a container made in accordance with the present invention, showing the closure cap mounted there- Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing to advantage the manner of mounting the follower piston on the shaft and in the container.

Fig. 4 is a detail fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of container and follower, wherein the follower is provided with a peripheral lug extending into a complemental groove in the container wall, and showing also a modified form of nozzle.

Fig. 5 is a detail fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of still another modified form of container and follower in which a different mode of assembling the shaft head and nozzle is illustrated.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of another modified form which includes an oval shape container with a complementally formed follower.

Fig. 7 is an, end elevational view of the container, looking at the closed end, showing the contour of the periphery, and

- Fig. 8 is a detail fragmentary sectional view of still another form of the invention showing a further mode of assembling the shaft head and nozzle wherein the head is completely embedded in the nozzle.

The device of the present invention consists of a container 8 which may be of cylindrical configuration, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawing, or ovoidal, as illustrated in Fig. 6. One end of the container is closed and provided with air vents, the opposite end being open and having mounted thereinv a nozzle, generally designated Ill. The container may be made of pasteboard, or any suitable material not adapted to be collapsed during use thereof.

The inner end of the nozzle is reduced in diameter and has a locking bead ll formed on the outer periphery of said reduced portion which is adapted for engagement in a complemental recess formed in the inner wall of the container body. By reducing the diameter of the inner end of the nozzle, a shoulder is provided which abuts the outer free end of the container body, as illustrated to advantage in Fig. 2. When the nozzle is urged into the container body, the latter will yield sufiiciently to permit the bead II to snap into the annular recess of the container body thereby locking the nozzle. The outer wall of the nozzle issues into a dispensing terminus I2 which in the present instance is shown to be of truncated cone shape and in which an opening [3 is formed. The contents of the container body may be dispensed through the opening [3 of the nozzle in a manner which will hereinafter appear. There is suflicient play between the nozzle and container body to permit the nozzle to be freely rotated and to assist this operation, we have formed grooves I4 in the outer wall of the nozzle.

For dispensing the contents of the container body, we provide dispensing mechanism which in the present instance consists of a screw threaded shaft [5, oneend l6 of which is'journaled in the .closed end of the container body, the opposite .end of the shaft being equipped with a head I! which may be of rectangular cross section, the head being mounted in recesses l8 which are formed in the inner end .of the nozzle 10. The screw shaft carries a follower l9 which may be of discal formation, as shown to advantage in Fig. 2, the follower being fed along the shaft l5 by rotation of the nozzle l0.

When not in use the dispensing end of the container body. is closed by a cap 20, the latter being provided with a recess 2| in which the outer end of the dispensing terminus I2 is seated. The cap 2|] may be frictionally engaged with the outer periphery of the container body 8, as shown in Fig. 2.

In the form of invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the container body is of cylindrical configuration and we prefer to provide suitable means to prevent thecontainer from rolling when placed on a support. For this purpose, wehave in Figs. 1 and '7 shown the periphery of the container body, at the closed end of the latter, to be polygonal, as indicated at 2|.

In the form of invention shown in Fig- 3; we

prefer to retain the follower H] from rotative movement by forming a rib 22 on the inner periphery of the container body which extends longitudinally of the latter and engages acorre sponding recess in said follower. However, in the form of invention shown in Fig. 40f the drawing, we provide a longitudinally extending groove 23 in the inner wall: of. the container in which a peripheral lug 24, formed on the follower lll, is mounted. Additionally in. the form ofinvention shown Fig; 4, we prefer to make the nozzle in" two: parts consisting of inner and outer members 25 and 26, respectively, the latter having the head H of the screw shaft: I embedded: therein.- Theinner part 25 of the nozzle has one end bent at right angles to engage beneath a circular'extension 21 formed on the outer end of the container body; Said circular extensionmay' be provided on its outer face with protrusions 28 which engage the inner wall of the outer part 26- of the nozzle to reduce frictional resistance when. the nozzle is rotated for actuating the shaft and its follower. As shown in Fig. 4, opening is provided through the nozzle in this form of invention permitting the contents of the container to be dispensed therethrough as the follower I9 is moved toward the nozzle end of the container.

In Fig. 6 of the drawing, we have shown a containerB' which is of ovoidal configuration having movably mounted therein a follower piston H? of complemental construction. The piston is movably mounted on a screw threaded shaft I 5 operated in the same manner as the shaft T5 shown in Fig. 2. In this form of invention, it is unnecessary to key the piston to the container since rotation of the piston is prevented by the inherent construction of the piston and container.

In Fig. 5', we have shown another preferred form of assembling the shaft head, nozzle and container. In this form of the invention, the container 8 has a portion of its outer'end extended to provide a collar 25, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the container. The collar is provided with an annular groove 26-, which is adapted for the reception of a complemental bead orring' 21, which latter is formed on the inner wall of a combination operating collair and nozzle 28 The combination cap and nozzle includes a pair of parallel lugs 29 which extend. inwardly from the outer endof the nozzle. Each: of saidv lugs is bifurcated, as indicated at 30*, to provide recesses in which the head 3| of the shaft I4 is seated. Ifhe combination collar and nozzle is provided with a suitable outlet terminal, such as: shown at [2 in Fig. 2,. through whichv the contents of the container is extruded when the follower is operated. The combination collar and nozzle are preferably made of yieldable material. to permit the collar to be flexed over the head 21. This construction permits the collar to be rotated to correspondingly rotate the head 38 of the follower shaft. Furthermore, this construction prevents displacement of the collar from the container. The collar and container are of the same external diameter.

In the form of invention shown in Fig. 8, the nozzle is formed in one piece, the inner end 32 thereof fitting beneath a flange 33. formed by extending a portion of the free end of the container body inwardly. The dispensing terminus 34 of the nozzle projects outwardly beyond the flange 33 and has an operating collar 35 fixedly mounted thereon. In this form of invention, the head of the operating screw shaft is completely embedded in: the inner end 32 of the nozzle. The nozzle is rotated by operation of the collar 35 in a manifest manner. so as to actuate the screw shaft. A closure cap 36 may be mounted over thecoll'ar 35 in snug engagement with the dispensing terminus 34 of the nozzle to seal the opening in the terminus.

In use of. this device, when the piston follower is in the bottom of the container body, as shown in Fig; 1, and before the nozzle has been inserted', the dentifrice or other material to be dispensed is: deposited in the container body on top of the follower. After'the container is filled, the nozzle is snapped into position which locks it from displacement although a rotative movement.

is permitted. This rotative movement may be accomplished by the thumb and a finger of the hand. in which the container is carried, the operating portions of the container being rounded to facilitate gripping of these parts by the fingers. It is apparent that the nozzle may be rotated in either direction so that after the desired quantity of dentifrice or other material has been dispensed, by movement of the nozzle in one direction, a slight movement in the opposite direction prevents casual displacement of the container contents.

While we have herein shown pistons and container bodies of cylindrical and oval configuration, it is nevertheless within the contemplation of this invention to use containers and pistons of other contours.

While we have herein shown and described preferred forms of my invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts within the scope of the claims herewith appended.

What is claimed is:

1. A plastic material container and dispenser comprising a hollow body closed at one end and open at the other end, the closed end of the body having an air vent, a nozzle engaging the open end of the body and having a portion thereof projecting interiorly of the body, said body having a groove on the inside inwardly of the open end, a bead on the inwardly projecting portion of the nozzle engaging in said groove, a threaded shaft disposed axially of the body, a follower threadedly engaging said shaft and slid- .ably engaging the container, said nozzle having opposed notches in the inner end thereof, and a bar secured to the adjacent end of the shaft and engaging in said notches to hold the shaft against rotation relative to said shaft.

2. A plastic material container and dispenser comprising a hollow body closed at one end and open at the other end, the closed end of the body having an air vent, a nozzle engaging the open end of the body and having a portion thereof projecting interiorly of the body, said body having a groove on the inside inwardly of the open end, a bead on the inwardly projecting portion of the nozzle engaging in said groove, a threaded shaft disposed axially of the body, a follower threadedly engaging said shaft and slidably engaging the container, said nozzle having opposed notches in the inner end thereof, a bar secured to the adjacent end of the shaft and engaging said notches to hold the shaft against rotation relative to said shaft, and a cap enclosing said nozzle and engaging the adjacent end of the container.

3. A plastic material container and dispenser comprising a hollow body closed at one end and open at the other end, the closed end of the body having an air vent, a nozzle engaging the open end of the body and having a portion thereof projecting interiorly of the body, said body having a groove on the inside inwardly of the open end, a head on the inwardly projecting portion of the nozzle engaging in said groove, a threaded shaft disposed axially of the body, a follower threadedly engaging said shaft and slidably engaging the container, means for holding the follower against rotation while permitting slidable movement thereof in the container, said nozzle having opposed notches in the inner end thereof, and a bar secured to the adjacent end of the shaft and engaging in said notches to hold the shaft against rotation relative to said shaft.

ARTHUR W. BEAUMONT. WILLIAM A. SHENTON. 

